Councillor wants Sefton to take lead on dealing with smoking in new NHS reforms

BANNING smoking in the town hall gardens could form part of pioneering plans to tackle tobacco-related issues in Sefton.
Cllr Sir Ron Watson will propose setting up a task group to consider all aspects of smoking and tobacco control in the borough at a full council meeting tonight (Thursday).



Cllr Watson, chairman of Southport and Ormskirk NHS Hospital Trust, believes that by linking the environmental issues to the recognised health issues, Sefton Council could lead the way in cutting back smoking – as well as boosting the town’s tourism trade.


The plans come on the back of the government’s proposed NHS reforms, which will see responsibility for public health transfer from NHS Sefton to the council by 2013.


And ahead of the meeting, Cllr Watson said: “The local authority is going to have greater responsibility for public health matters, and that’s a good thing.

“I think we need a short sharp piece of work to identify where we can do more work to tackle smoking. I would like to see the overview and scrutiny committee for health and social care set up a task group to look into what can be done – people that have a good background in the issues.”
One area Cllr Watson believes could be looked into is banning smoking in targeted public areas of the town, such as the Princess Diana Gardens outside the town hall.
He said: “What sometimes gets overlooked is how unattractive things like cigarette butts are. With our added responsibility we could ban smoking in certain public places, and look at enforcing it with on-the-spot fines for discarding butts.
“Of course we need to research it properly as we don’t want to see an increase in people smoking at home. But if we can clean up some of our most attractive areas while helping to cut smoking rates it can only be a boost for tourism.”
Statistics from NHS Sefton show that smoking rates in Sefton have reduced from 23% in 2003 to around 15% – below the national average of 21%


This equates to around 17,000 fewer smokers across the borough.


And Cllr Watson said: “The PCT has a good record with smoking cessation but the NHS reforms gives us an opportunity to look at what else can be done, as we have a responsibility for education and can look into how that can play a role too. Every day on my way to work I pass young women smoking and that’s another target group will could look at.”

Dr Janet Atherton, Sefton public health director, said:, “Our success has been based on a comprehensive strategy aiming to help smokers to quit and encourage young people not to start smoking. Partners in the NHS, council, fire service and community and voluntary sector have all played a significant role in achieving the reductions in numbers of smokers. We need to keep working together to reduce smoking rates further as it remains one of our most important health challenges along with alcohol and obesity.”


Source: http://www.southportvisiter.co.uk/southport-news/southport-southport-news/2011/07/07/councillor-wants-sefton-to-take-lead-on-dealing-with-smoking-in-new-nhs-reforms-101022-29006009/